You are currently viewing our boards as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content, and access many other special features. In addition, registered members also see less advertisements. Registration is fast, simple, and absolutely free, so please, join our community today!

Well, several months ago I tried to shave with my great uncles straight razor. Didn't realize it had a nick in it, looked like I got into a fight with a cat! I just picked up one of Marks 6/8 straight razors. What else do I need and where can I get the stuff? Set with stones/strops, looks like I need a brush, bowl, soaps, etc. What else and where can I get everything else I need at 1 place? Thanks!

The first kit comes with a razor presharpened and shave ready supposedly, leaning that way so I can compare the CKTG razor to that sharpness wise so I know what it's supposed to feel like? And that will give me a back up razor, too.

Also, when sharpening, do you lay the razor flat on the stone with the spine touching the stone and hone that way? The CKTG razor needs a little touch up; I did some stropping on leather with 1 micron boron carbide and it did OK, but I really need some soap/cream to tell.

pjwoolw

Post subject: Re: Need some help!

Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2014 5:36 pm

Joined: Tue Oct 23, 2012 1:14 amPosts: 603Location: San Ramon Ca.

You might do better at Straight Razor Designs.

_________________Pete in San Ramon

taz575

Post subject: Re: Need some help!

Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2014 5:45 pm

Forum Moderator

Joined: Thu Apr 26, 2012 5:13 pmPosts: 3098Location: CT

SRD is MUCH more expensive and I didn't see any kits with the brush, soap, strop and razor. I want something less expensive to try out first before I go in for $200+ on a setup.

I'd be wary of the razor that comes with it. You can piece together a better set and I'll send you a 'shave ready' razor I bought Mark's razor too but haven't had a chance to hone it yet. I'd look on amazon at Vulfix brushes, or maybe a van der hagen set (VERY cheap, can get at walmart too). Send me your address and I'll give you my old strop. Its probably comparable to the one in the kit and I added a nylon webbed strip as well if you want to use compounds/sprays. Regardless, hit me up and I'll get you started Oh yeah, yes you lay the spine on the stone to hone. I personally use a layer of electrical tape to prevent hone wear.

Chris

mark76

Post subject: Re: Need some help!

Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2014 5:19 am

Joined: Thu Aug 16, 2012 10:03 amPosts: 320

Be wary of pre-sharpened razors. Many are plain blunt. What I did was get a second-hand razor from Tom Blodgett (Jende Industries), he's one of the most accomplished straight razor sharpeners I know.

I put the CKTG to the stones yesterday and got a pretty decent edge on it for my first time. Tried shaving last night with it and it did OK, but I need more practice. I took it to 1 micron boron carbide paste on leather and then bare leather. I got some regular shaving cream and used that; is there much difference between the store bought shaving cream and the soaps? I have some leather paddle style strops I have been using that seem to work well, I just figured I would try one of the "kits" and see what the soaps, razor strops, etc were like.

I have my great Uncle's old straight razor that has a tiny nick in it, I may try repairing that nick and redoing the edge and trying that.

Panko

Post subject: Re: Need some help!

Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2014 2:47 pm

Joined: Tue Jan 21, 2014 6:56 pmPosts: 382

the brush helps hair stand up on end making it easier to shave close. A lot of new shave gels aren't the best. The older style foams work better. All work a bit better with a brush. If you have paddle strops you don't need a hanging strop unless you want it to double as decoration in the bathroom.

I haven't figured out straight razor sharpening just yet. I need to sit down and just work on some razors so I can't offer much advice there. Make sure your uncle's old razor doesn't have a crack behind that knick.

taz575

Post subject: Re: Need some help!

Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2014 2:53 pm

Forum Moderator

Joined: Thu Apr 26, 2012 5:13 pmPosts: 3098Location: CT

Yeah, one of his old razors has a long crack, the other has a tiny nick. Roger on the brush! I used Gilette Fusion Gel for tough beards, I just did the straight down the face and neck cuts, nothing fancy, more to knock off some of the thicker stubble before I went to the Fusion Power cartridge I am used to.

Ok, so no strops! Yay! I have some balsa, some leather, may get some kangaroo or nano from CKTG and some finer compounds; I have the 1 micron BC, thinking of doing the 1/2 micron or should I go lower?

I am almost there on the edge; after shaving, it felt like there was a burr left on the edge and it wouldn't pass the HHT prior to shaving, so I have a little more work to do on the edge, but it's much better than it was OOTB.

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests

You cannot post new topics in this forumYou cannot reply to topics in this forumYou cannot edit your posts in this forumYou cannot delete your posts in this forumYou cannot post attachments in this forum